Limb joint for dolls and the like



Dec. 19, 1933. p EPSTEIN 1,939,677

LIME JOINT FOR DOLLS AND THE LIKE I Filed May 4, 1932 4 TITO/6 rPatented Dec. 19, 1933 UNITEDJSTATES LIMB JOINT FOR DOLLS AND THE LIKEPerry Epstein, Brooklyn, N. Y., assignor to Ber nard EJFleischaker andHugo Baum, both of New York, N.., Y., composing the firm of Fleischaker& Baum Application May 4, 1932. SeriallNo. 609,107

.3 Claims. (01. 46- -40) I This invention relates to limb joints fordolls and the like, and more particularly to thej'oints of such toysmade of rubber or other fle'xible ma terial. g v

One of the objects of the invention is to produce a movable limb jointfor dolls and the like in which the parts will be snugly held togetherand still provide sufficient flexibility for the free movement of thelimbs with respect to the doll body.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a joint in which theparts comprising same cannot accidentally become disjointed.

A further object of the invention is to provide a simple yet eflicientmethod for joining the limbs of a doll or the like to the body thereof.7

Another object is to produce a device of the character described inwhich the maximum simplicity of construction and operation is secured.

Other objects and advantages will appear as the nature of theimprovements is better understood, the invention consistingsubstantially in the novelarrangement and co-relation of parts hereinfully described, and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, whereinsimilar reference characters are used to describe corresponding partsthroughout the several views, and then finally pointed out andspecifically defined and 0- indicated in the appended claims.

The disclosure made the basis of exemplifying the present inventiveconcept suggests a practical embodiment thereof, but the invention isnot to be restricted to the exact details of this disclosure, and thelatter, therefore, is to be understood from an illustrative, rather thana restrictive standpoint.

The inventive idea involved is capable of receiving a variety ofmechanical expressions, one

of which, for the purpose of illustration, is shown in the accompanyingdrawing, in which Figure 1 is a fragmental view in front elevationpartly in section of a doll employing one form of my improved limbjoint.

Figure 2 is a fragmental sectional view of a doll showing the limb inthe act of being secured to the body.

Figure 3 is a sectional view of a leg showing a portion of the jointfastening means therein.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the joint stud retaining cup andFigure 5 is a perspective view of a modified form of my invention.

Referring now to the drawing in detail 10 indicates a hollow doll bodypreferably made of rubber orother'resilientmaterial and provided at itsarm and leg joints with inwardly extending concavo-convex sockets 11 and12 respectively. The arms '13 and legs 14 of the doll are likewisehollow and preferably made of rubber, blown C3 or molded. The arms andlegs are each formed around a securing device 15 which, after the saidlimbs are formed lies loosely within the hollows of the said limbs (Fig.3). The securing device comprises a cupped washer 16, a stud 1'7provided at one end thereof with a head 18 and at the op. posite endthereof with a head 19. One of the said heads maybe integral with thestud 1'7, while the other head is made of a separate part and secured tothe stud after a coiled spring 20 is placed thereon and the stud passedthrough an opening 21 in the washer 16.

Before joining the limbs to the doll body, which are provided withprojections 22 corresponding in shape to the sockets 11 and 12, the saidlimbs are perforated at 24 and the head 18 of the stud 17 is pushedtherethrough so that it may be inserted into an opening 23 in either thearm or leg sockets 11 or 12. I then place a cupped washer 25 (Fig. 2)upon a tool 26 and 30 insert same through the neck 27 of the doll andthen bring same against one or the other of said sockets. A tool orplunger 28 is then forced against the head 19 from the outside of thelimb thus pushing the head 18 through an opening 29 formed by partiallysplitting the washer 25 to form resilient lips or clips 30, until thesaid head snaps past the said lips which prevent the stud from comingout of place. A hole or opening 31 in the tool 26 forms centering meansfor the cupped washer 25 and permits the stud to be pressed into place.The spring 20 maintains the joint under proper tension. If desired, thespring may be omitted and the stud 17 may be secured to the cuppedwasher 16.

In Figure 5 I have shown a modified form of the stud and washerarrangement, wherein I secure a pointed pin 35 directly to the washer 16and depend upon the frictional engagement of same with the split washerto maintain the limbs in their respective sockets.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that I have provided a simple yetefiicient means for joining the doll limbs to the body portion thereof.

While I have described my invention as applied to rubber dolls, I desireit understood that the invention is just as applicable to other toyssuch as stuffed animals and the like made of other materials besidesrubber.

I also desire it understood that wherever in the claims I use the worddoll, other toys are to be included.

I also desire it understood that my improved joints may be utilized forconnecting the heads of dolls and other toys to the bodies thereof, andthe appended claims are not intended to be limited to the application ofmy improved joint to limbs only. J

Having described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent is:

1. A limb joint for a hollow doll, comprising a substantiallyconcavo-convex perforated socket in the doll body, a correspondinglyshaped perforated projection on the doll limb extending into the saidsocket, a perforated cupped washer on the convex surface of the socket,a perforated cupped washer on the concave surface of the projection, oneof the said washers being'partially split to form projections at itsperforation and a stud passing through the projection and socket andmaintained in place-by the said washer projections. V

2. A limb joint for a hollow doll, comprising a substantiallyconcavo-convex, perforated socket in the doll body, a correspondinglyshaped perforated projection on the doll limb extending into the saidsocket, a perforated cupped washer on the convex surface of the socket,a perforated cupped washer on the concave surface of the projection, oneof the said Washers being partially split to' form projections at itsperforation, a stud having a head at each end thereof and passingthrough the said limb projection, socket, and washers, one of the saidheads being in engagement with the washer projections, and a springexerting a tension between the other of said head and washer.

3. A limb joint for a hollow flexible doll, comprising a perforatedjoint area on the doll body, a perforated joint area on the doll limb incontact ,with the joint area of the doll body, a stud passing throughthe said perforated areas, a washer near each end of the stud, a head onthe stud, resilient lips on one of the washers in engagement with thesaid head to maintain the said stud in place and preventaccidentaldisplacement of the parts, and joint tensioning means on the said studin engagement with the other of said washers.

PERRY EPSTEIN.

